He is the Father, Only Eternal

Aum Sairam

The relationship between Sri Sai Baba and His devotee is expressed in
several ways. He is the mother, He is the father. He is Sadguru and He
is God. He can be anything to anyone, just the way one would like it.
However, the difference is that the relationship is permanent and
existed even before it was known or felt. Sri Sai Baba would often say,
I will draw my devotee to me, just as a bird is drawn with strings
attached to its legs. The analogy aptly refers to the agitated mind of
the child that is comforted by the thought of His safe hands. Let us
see the relationship beautifully expressed in the following phrases:

This relationship between the Supreme Being and the individual soul
[human being] will never be allowed to be snapped. Unlike the steps
taken by a father to groom his son or daughter and the latter
expressing his gratitude, which acts are merely temporary, the tie
between God and His devotees will be unbroken forever. The essential
requirement of the latter is to shed his ego. Saint Appar has said even
as a snake bites a person, ego stings him resulting in aberration in
his behavior. Secondly, as a servant, he should demonstrate how he is
always dependent on the Almighty. Poet Kamban has pointed out how Rama
[God in the form of human being] followed Sage Vishwamitra and how
Lakshmana dutifully attended on Him. I serve Him to please Him were his
words. Likewise a sincere devotee should declare pleading with God, I
want only You and none else and nothing else.

The term devotion has been described in holy works from different
angles. The essence of it, in simple manner, will be that it represents
perfection of humility and ardent service to God and His messengers and
also extinction of one's ego and ill will. It should not be mistaken
with the display of mere emotional rapture. Then, what will be the
definition of a sincere devotee? This too has been stated clearly,
namely that he is one who has clear understanding of his relationship
with the Almighty and that the bond that exists between the two is
permanent. He should hold on to the feet of one God alone without
switching his loyalty to various deities. A devotee will assiduously
carry out Divine commands, and will attend on spiritual guides.

Allah Malik